The essential warehouse workwear and PPE is hi-vis, safety footwear and work gloves, with extra layers or protection for cold stores, low racking and kneeling work. Warehouses are busy, physical places where people, forklifts and tight deadlines share the same space. The right kit keeps your team safe, comfortable and productive from first pick to final dispatch.

Visibility comes first

With forklift trucks, pallet movers and delivery vehicles in constant motion, hi-vis vests or two-tone polo shirts certified to EN ISO 20471 help make sure every worker can be seen across the floor and in the yard. Many operations require hi-vis for anyone entering the warehouse, visitors included.

The class you need should come from your risk assessment, taking into account vehicle speeds, lighting and whether people work outside in the yard after dark. Keep spare vests at reception and in the goods-in office, and replace any that are faded or dirty, because hi-vis only works if the fluorescent and reflective materials are in good condition.

Footwear does the heavy lifting

Warehouse staff cover a lot of ground every shift on hard concrete floors, so lightweight safety trainers are a popular choice. Look for a composite toe cap, a midsole where nails, staples or broken pallets are a risk, and good slip resistance.

Under EN ISO 20345:2022, slip testing on ceramic tile with a soap solution is mandatory for all safety footwear, and the optional SR marking means it also passed a tougher test with glycerine. Penetration-resistant midsoles are now marked P for metal or PL and PS for non-metallic types, so you'll see codes such as S1PL and S1PS. Older stock certified to the 2011 standard may still be marked S1P.

For yard work and loading bays in the wet, step up to S3 (also seen as S3L or S3S), which adds a water-resistant upper and a cleated outsole to penetration resistance. Our guide to safety trainers vs safety boots helps you choose between the two.

Comfort drives productivity

Breathable polo shirts and t-shirts suit the physical pace of picking and packing, with sweatshirts or bodywarmers for colder sections and ambient stores. Bodywarmers are especially useful because they keep the core warm while leaving the arms free.

Chilled and frozen areas need more. Proper thermal jackets, trousers, hats and gloves are essential, as cold workers are slower and more prone to accidents. For freezer work, look for clothing tested to EN 342 and gloves tested to EN 511, and plan rest breaks in warmer areas.

Don't forget the details

Smaller items make a big difference across a shift:

• Work gloves for handling boxes, banding and shrink wrap. Coated grip gloves suit most picking, while cut-resistant styles help when opening cartons or cutting banding. Browse our work gloves for options.
• Bump caps where low racking or mezzanine beams pose a risk. A bump cap doesn't protect against falling objects, so use safety helmets where stock is moved overhead. See our guide on hard hats vs bump caps.
• Kneepads for staff working low pick faces or doing stock counts on bottom shelves.

Quick answers

What PPE is needed in a warehouse?

It depends on your risk assessment, but most warehouses need hi-vis, safety footwear and work gloves as a minimum. Cold stores, low racking and kneeling tasks may also call for thermal clothing, bump caps and kneepads.

Are safety trainers suitable for warehouse work?

For most indoor warehouse work, yes. Safety trainers are light and comfortable on concrete floors, but check the S rating covers your hazards and choose an S3-rated style for wet yard work.

Do visitors need to wear hi-vis in a warehouse?

Many warehouses require hi-vis for everyone on the floor, visitors included, as a site rule. Keeping spare vests at reception makes it easy for visitors to follow the same rules.

Browse our hi-vis workwear to start kitting out your team, or contact us about a complete warehouse uniform with embroidery or printing. For whole-team orders, a trade account may suit your business.